Loving Our Neighbors (even if they live thousands of miles away)
I know I should be the last person to talk about politics, but what's the point of having a blog if you can't express the things going on in your mind? Amiright?
Note: I am not a political analyst or theologian. I have a Bachelor's degree in communication and several years of experience in Corporate America. I am a working mommy with about 30 minutes to myself every day. Notice the title of my blog....so please be reminded of who I assume is the majority of my audience. I'm making the consious effort to not politically vomit on Facebook so PLEASE do not bash me for not being as smart as you.
First off, let me give you a little context about how my mind has been molded together. I grew up in small town U.S.A. in the middle of the Midwest, right at the tip of the Bible Belt. I grew up very conservative Protestant Christian and although I attended a non-denominational church, their practices and teachings were much more on the legalistic side. The closest city was an hour away, the closest freeway was 30 minutes away, we had a 'Harvest Party' at church instead of going Trick or Treating and I was required to leave soccer practice early to make it to youth group on time every week. My parents didn't believe that it was ok to drink alcohol no matter what age you were (they've since loosened up a bit). So, obviously I rebelled... when you're told to stay inside a bubble and never step foot outside that bubble because terrible things would happen, all you end up thinking about is stepping outside of that bubble, right? There is actually a psychological term for this called Psychological Reactance theorized and applied by Jack Brehm.
So, it shouldn't shock anyone that I also grew up in a very Right Winged Republican household. Fox News was on almost every evening and my mom used to blare Rush Limbaugh through the radio every afternoon FOR THREE HOURS. I'm not saying I was brainwashed, but all I had ever heard was how terrible it was to be a liberal Democrat.
Then something magical happened. I moved to Southern California to attend a private Christian 'Bible' college. Sounds like an oxymoron, huh? It was actually the perfect situation for me. I was able to experience a different culture with a much more open minded view, all while building a strong foundation in Christ through studying and researching on my own. What I found, if you can believe it, is that you don't have to be labeled "Republican" or "conservative" just because you are a follower of Jesus.
With this in mind, I'm having the hardest time understanding how "Christians", as in those who actively profess to Jesus being their Savior and believe in what the Bible says, can be anti-immigration on ANY level!
Exodus 22:21 "Do not mistreat or oppress a foreigner, for you were mistreated in Egypt." (talking to the Israelites)
Deuteronomy 27:19 "Cursed is anyone who withholds justice from the foreigner, the fatherless or the widow."
Leviticus 25:35 "If any of your fellow Israelites become poor and are unable to support themselves among you, help them as you would a foreigner and stranger, so they can continue to live among you."
Matthew 25:35
"For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in.... " Verse 40 "The King will reply, "Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me."
I recently saw a post on Facebook... well actually I've seen a ton of idiotic Facebook posts but that's a different topic.... This one in particular was comparing the most recent Presidential executive order banning several predominately Islamic countries to enter the U.S., to how she locks the doors to her house every night to ensure her family stays safe.
I'm sorry, but that is NOT the same thing. Now, I know that there are holes in our immigration process that need to be worked on, but the majority of those coming from other countries are doing so to find a better life for their families: Education, to make more money, freedom of religion, to escape persecution, and for the love of God so they prevent being bombed or killed. This is more like a family coming and knocking on our front door in the middle of the day asking if we can help them get back on their feet after leaving an abusive and controlling home. We've been focused on traveling outside of our country to spread the love of Christ that we are missing the fact that they've started coming straight to our doorstep for help. And now we want to turn them away?
I'm not saying I have any answers or that I'm asking for political rants in the comments, but I would hope that even if one person read this who might be confused about this topic, that maybe they might take a moment to self-reflect and really think about what's in their heart. The greatest commandment from God is to Love, and we need to understand what that means without ulterior motives, an agenda or just when it only benefits ourselves.
Note: I am not a political analyst or theologian. I have a Bachelor's degree in communication and several years of experience in Corporate America. I am a working mommy with about 30 minutes to myself every day. Notice the title of my blog....so please be reminded of who I assume is the majority of my audience. I'm making the consious effort to not politically vomit on Facebook so PLEASE do not bash me for not being as smart as you.
First off, let me give you a little context about how my mind has been molded together. I grew up in small town U.S.A. in the middle of the Midwest, right at the tip of the Bible Belt. I grew up very conservative Protestant Christian and although I attended a non-denominational church, their practices and teachings were much more on the legalistic side. The closest city was an hour away, the closest freeway was 30 minutes away, we had a 'Harvest Party' at church instead of going Trick or Treating and I was required to leave soccer practice early to make it to youth group on time every week. My parents didn't believe that it was ok to drink alcohol no matter what age you were (they've since loosened up a bit). So, obviously I rebelled... when you're told to stay inside a bubble and never step foot outside that bubble because terrible things would happen, all you end up thinking about is stepping outside of that bubble, right? There is actually a psychological term for this called Psychological Reactance theorized and applied by Jack Brehm.
So, it shouldn't shock anyone that I also grew up in a very Right Winged Republican household. Fox News was on almost every evening and my mom used to blare Rush Limbaugh through the radio every afternoon FOR THREE HOURS. I'm not saying I was brainwashed, but all I had ever heard was how terrible it was to be a liberal Democrat.
Then something magical happened. I moved to Southern California to attend a private Christian 'Bible' college. Sounds like an oxymoron, huh? It was actually the perfect situation for me. I was able to experience a different culture with a much more open minded view, all while building a strong foundation in Christ through studying and researching on my own. What I found, if you can believe it, is that you don't have to be labeled "Republican" or "conservative" just because you are a follower of Jesus.
With this in mind, I'm having the hardest time understanding how "Christians", as in those who actively profess to Jesus being their Savior and believe in what the Bible says, can be anti-immigration on ANY level!
Exodus 22:21 "Do not mistreat or oppress a foreigner, for you were mistreated in Egypt." (talking to the Israelites)
Deuteronomy 27:19 "Cursed is anyone who withholds justice from the foreigner, the fatherless or the widow."
Leviticus 25:35 "If any of your fellow Israelites become poor and are unable to support themselves among you, help them as you would a foreigner and stranger, so they can continue to live among you."
Matthew 25:35
"For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in.... " Verse 40 "The King will reply, "Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me."
I recently saw a post on Facebook... well actually I've seen a ton of idiotic Facebook posts but that's a different topic.... This one in particular was comparing the most recent Presidential executive order banning several predominately Islamic countries to enter the U.S., to how she locks the doors to her house every night to ensure her family stays safe.
I'm sorry, but that is NOT the same thing. Now, I know that there are holes in our immigration process that need to be worked on, but the majority of those coming from other countries are doing so to find a better life for their families: Education, to make more money, freedom of religion, to escape persecution, and for the love of God so they prevent being bombed or killed. This is more like a family coming and knocking on our front door in the middle of the day asking if we can help them get back on their feet after leaving an abusive and controlling home. We've been focused on traveling outside of our country to spread the love of Christ that we are missing the fact that they've started coming straight to our doorstep for help. And now we want to turn them away?
I'm not saying I have any answers or that I'm asking for political rants in the comments, but I would hope that even if one person read this who might be confused about this topic, that maybe they might take a moment to self-reflect and really think about what's in their heart. The greatest commandment from God is to Love, and we need to understand what that means without ulterior motives, an agenda or just when it only benefits ourselves.
Comments
Post a Comment